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Stalinist Military Doctrinal Views in Soviet Strategic Plans 1940–1941

Explore Stalinist leadership's concepts on future war, 'annihilation strategy,' 'retaliatory strike' doctrine, and the underestimated role of defense. Analyze the evolution of Soviet strategic plans from August 1940 to May 1941, examining the shift in military doctrines and decision-making processes leading to the events of June 1941.

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Stalinist Military Doctrinal Views in Soviet Strategic Plans 1940–1941

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  1. Stalinist Leadership’s Military-Doctrinal Views and the Soviet Strategic Plans1940–1941Michael M. MintsInstitute of Scientific Information on Social Sciences,Moscow

  2. Soviet leadership’s concepts of the future war • An inevitable new world war with participation of the USSR • A possibility that the war may begin on the USSR’s initiative • The ‘annihilation strategy’ • The ‘creeping into the war’ theory • The ‘retaliatory strike’ doctrine • Underestimation of the defence’s significance in modern war

  3. Questions • Was the May 1941 version of the strategic plan affirmed by Stalin? • Had the Soviet leadership really been following the ‘retaliatory strike’ doctrine until 22 June 1941? • What relationship did the first orders of the Soviet High Command on 21 and 22 June 1941 have to the pre-war strategic plans?

  4. August 1940 version of the strategic plan: the initial period of war August 1940 version of the strategic plan: the Soviet offensive Soviet Western border in late 1940 September 1940 version of the strategic plan: the initial period of war September 1940 version of the strategic plan: the Soviet offensive May 1941 version of the strategic plan: the first operation Soviet Western border by 22 June 1941 Soviet troops’ missions for 23–24 June 1941 according to the Main Military Council’s Directive No. 3 (22 June, evening) Soviet Western border in late 1940

  5. Conclusions • The first Soviet High Command’s orders issued on 21–22 June 1941 were not based on the pre-war plans. • The ‘retaliatory strike’ doctrine was rejected by the Soviet leadership by June 1941. • The May 1941 version of the strategic plan was affirmed by Stalin.

  6. Thanks for your attention

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